Esholt Sports 3

Wheatley 2

TABLE-toppers Wheatley slipped to their first league defeat since October as a useful first-half performance proved their undoing against a lively Esholt side.

On a pitch that started heavily and finished as a quagmire, it was the home side who adapted quicker and took the lead inside five minutes when a looping cross beat the flat-footed Sheard in the Wheatley goal.

Roberts and Fendyke were unusually quiet in midfield as Esholt dominated proceedings but were unable to extend their lead thanks to brave defending from Moore, Powell, Hartley, Dale and Sheard.

Having already hit the bar from distance with an earlier shot, Beanland brought the Wheatley level when he met Haw's driven corner with a shot from the edge of the area which flew in off the underside of the bar.

Esholt, though, deservedly regained the ascendency as they made it two, and then, critically, 3-1 just before half-time.

The Wheatley improved considerably after half-time, particularly after the introduction of Murray, who carried the ball forward from midfield at every available opportunity. However, Esholt continued to create the better chances, but were denied by more stout defending.

With quarter of an hour left the Wheatley forced a second goal as Powell drove forward, exchanging passes with Haw before squaring to Murray, who fired under the 'keeper from the edge of the area.

Whilst the Wheatley strove desperately for the equalising goal, they lacked the craft to create any clearcut chances on an increasingly cloggy pitch and it was Wintersgill who came closest with a low shot which the 'keeper did well to palm round the post.

A much better second-half performance still wasn't enough to deny Esholt a deserved win, and the Wheatley were made to pay for a lacklustre opening half. Veteran Dale performed well, whilst Roberts, Hartley and Powell battled gamely, but Match Point went to Nick Beanland.

This time last year the Wheatley slid from the top of the table, but this season's squad is stronger, and will have their chance to put one over Esholt this Sunday when they meet in the return fixture, 10.30 kick-off at East Holmes Fields.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.